Link To Careers Planned * Officials Hope For Success Of New Computer-driven Jobs Program In Tamaqua.

July 05, 1999|by KATHY RUFF (A free-lance story for The Morning Call)

Tamaqua is hoping a jobs program that has been a big success in Pottsville will thrive in the borough.

And officials said it couldn't come at a more important time. A Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce survey indicates 70 percent of county businesses plan to expand within three years, creating many more jobs.

Pottsville Career Link will open a satellite office in the borough by Aug. 1, hopefully placing many Tamaqua area residents in those positions.

"This is a golden opportunity for the community of Tamaqua," said Thomas Mullahey, co-manager of the Team PA Career Link, Pottsville center.

State-of-the-art personal computers with Internet access will be one of the first tools housed in the facility at 221 Center St., where the state job center is.

But organizers hope Career Link will enhance services at the center by better matching job seekers with employers. Employers have complained about the job center, saying too many unqualified applicants were being referred their way.

Career Link could change that. The service offers employment services focusing on accurately matching job seekers to jobs, as well as providing training and education.

Job seekers will be able to use computers at the center to find job openings that clearly describe the requirements. Staffers will then screen applicants to ensure they match the employers' basic criteria.

Job seekers unsure of their skills will be able to take assessment tests at the center.

Between 35 and 50 people use the computers daily at the Pottsville center.

"That was the big surprise as to how busy that career resources center really became," Mullahey said. "We would like to see a mirror image of what's in Pottsville," said David Donlin, director of the Schuylkill chamber.

The seven Schuylkill partners in the project are the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Economic Opportunity Cabinet, Goodwill Employment Services, Pennsylvania Job Center, the Employment and Training department, the county's Intermediate Unit and the Department of Welfare.

"This is just the beginning," Donlin said. "The hard work starts now. The hard work is assumed by the teams, and creating the community and employer support to make it an effective operation."

The center will provide skill assessments to determine job placement and workshops on topics such as interviewing skills.

Silberline Manufacturing, Hometown, committed $20,000 to help subsidize the project. Commitments by businesses, community organizations and residents are needed to supplement Silberline's pledge.

J.E. Morgan agreed to a $1,500 donation to help with start-up expenses, which include marketing and payments until the lease expires in January 2001.

Larry Wittig, Tamaqua Area School Board member and chairman of the Human Resources Investment Council, said, "This is reality. Now let's make it work."

The quality and quantity of job applicants will improve, Mullahey said. It's something that businesses such as Silberline are anticipating.

"As an employer, we've always utilized the employment services of the Tamaqua Job Center. But over and above that, hopefully with the new career link, we'll be able to get even more qualified, better trained employees," said Elizabeth Confer, Silberline's human resources manager.